Haskell, writing in a column for MSN, said he was extremely excited about the opportunity to link up with the southern franchise.
"I have always dreamed of playing in the Super 15, but until last week I wasn't sure that I would be able to realise that ambition. Aside from Danny Cipriani this is relatively new territory for English players and things seemed to be going so slowly," Haskell said.
"So when I got the news I almost allowed myself a rye smile at those who questioned whether I would achieve my goal."
Haskell's passport is getting a real workout as he has played all over the globe in the past few years.
He had just finished playing two seasons with Stade Francais in the French Top 14 before coming to New Zealand to play for England in its unsuccessful World Cup campaign.
The loose forward then moved to Japan to play for the Rioch Black Rams for a season and will then move to Dunedin to link with the Highlanders in February. He will return to London side Wasps at the conclusion of the Super 15.
The Highlanders start their Super 15 campaign with a match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on February 25.
Haskell (26) described the Highlanders as a really exciting team, chock-full of great players, with some special new signings such as Hosea Gear and Andrew Hore.
Haskell will get to know one of his new team-mates early as he is playing in the same team in Japan as former All Black Tamati Ellison.
Ellison has also been signed by the Highlanders and will return to New Zealand with Haskell at the same time.
Haskell said knowing Ellison should help in his transition to the Highlanders and he could continue to rely on the super cooking of Ellison's wife which was keeping him refuelled in Tokyo.
Going overseas to play gave him the opportunity to work in different environments with different players and he was looking forward to linking up with Highlanders halfback Jimmy Cowan.
" I've always had the luxury of playing with really dangerous attacking nines, and Jimmy is the same. He always seems to use his forwards in the game to great effect. Add to that the coaching of Jamie Joseph, who is someone I have wanted to work with for a while." Ellison had told him the Highlanders were a rebuilding franchise that was only going in one direction, with a new coaching staff and new stadium.
"The World Cup was a great introduction to life in Dunedin for me and the quiet professional atmosphere is perfect to help me develop my game. Playing in New Zealand, will, no doubt, be the toughest challenge of my career."
Haskell impressed in the three games at Forsyth Barr Stadium for England but strangely did not feature in the quarterfinal loss to France.
He had one disappointing episode in Dunedin when he and two of his team-mates - Chris Ashton and Dylan Hartley - made inappropriate comments to a hotel employee.
He was not penalised by team management but it was just another incident in a disappointing campaign for the team.
